The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-09-01

Gle, 'Shall We VIM" which meets with my an
qualified appreciation.
win, If the canvass is run in the interest of
any one man, or faction, defeat is certain.
'f''''' ~ JOHN F. LEWIS.
Editors Tirginian The first editorial column
of your issue OF the 18th contains a good sug-
gestion to the Independent and Republican
candidates; that is let candidate and voter
look to the interests of his State first, and
party afterwards. l have nothing to say
against Gen. Mohone, but we have other good
Republicans who can fill with ability the place
he aspires to. for one, If / were q candidate
would not pledge myself to any caucus. We
have some good temperance Republicans in
the State-yes in Staunton, who can fill Sena-
tor Riddleberger's place; another in Wythe !;
another in Tazewell. and so 1 could mention
scores of true Republicans amply qualified
But the interests of no one man should be
pressed to the detriment of the interest of the
people. We should have higher motive !;
should look to the welfare of our asylums.
schools, state department, &C.
Toms Brook, Va sAM'L Is. HAWKINS.
PETERSBURG. VA, August 22d, 1887
To the Editors Of the Valtey Viryinidn:
A sincere devotion to Virginia and the great
principles of the Republican party mark every
line and word of your leader in the NIRGINIAN
OF the 18th inst.
Surely the great party to which we belong,
and for which old and faithful Republicans like
yourselves have, in the south labored so long, SO
hard and suffered SO much, has fallen upon
evil times when it becomes necessary for those
on the watch tOWer-the SentinelS OF the party
presto sound the notes of alarm i'll their own
camp. The warning thus afforded will return
to you in Thanksgiving.
For months past 1t has been the persistent
effort of the democratic press to make 1t appear
that the issue in this campaign was TO be "Ma-
publican party had but one mission in Vir-
ginia, and that was to continue Gen. Malone in
place and power; and this to the &c, end that
be lost sight of in the wild prejudice which that
issue would surely arouse. These impassioned
appeals to popular feeling were idly considered
and laughed at by Republicans, and victory in
November next was likely, until, 10 General
Mahone himself appears on the scene and to
the utter dismay and disgust of all right think
ing men, in published pamphlet forces him
self forward as the issue!
In your paper you have taken occasion to re-
fer editorially to this pamphlet, wherein you
justly say, "If every claim made by him were
correct. he would simply have done his duty
and without harsher commenton my part, one
General Malone has certainly overstepped the
bounds of propriety and modesty when he SO
the people OF Virginia to return him gto the
Senate on the score of having performed his
duty!
The splendid Republican victory in this
State last year, which resulted in the election
of six Republicans and one Independent con-
gresham, was the peoples work, without
ance, indeed, his personal management and
organization was openly repudiated by the Re-
in the present campaign the forcing of this
personal issue upon the party is q great crime.
1t appears to have been deliberately made,
certainly it could not have come at a more OPP
perfume time for the democrats. Their efforts
to arouse the old time prejudices against the
principles of the Republican party had failed.
The honest white voters of the State had
ceased to be cajoled into further support OF
democratic measures and men by the cry OF
"nigger.'' They were seriously thinking of the
failure of Democratic promises of relief from
the prevailing hard times, when in absolute
d rs OF all legitimate party issues Gen
CYSTIC publication, would impress upon the
party that he alone is Of right entitled to the
senatnrship in the event OF party success in
the fall elections.
The campaign under the semblance of party
organization has been, is. and will be until the
view of restoring General Malone to place and
power as senator, to the exclusion of other Re-
publican aspirants equally as competent,
under this condition of affairs,-the campaign
made solely in the interest of Gen. Malone,
and exclusively for his benefit,-what chance
is there for success? Can men be made to
vote? Are Republicans to be driven the
polls like a herd of cattle? Does the Republic
Gen. Mahone's power over the Republican
party so absolute that the rank and file will
flock to the polls to vote for his candidates for
the legislatue on election day? or will they
assert their manhood, through offence of this
wicked domination. and UOte for candidates qphO
aoW rteGge Menlsetpes NOT To enser q senHtorfaI
That the campaign is to be conducted in the
manner indicated admits of no discussion, for
record of six years SERVICE and it is known
that the regular pilgramage of his personal fol-
lowers has set in towards Petersburg to re-
ceive General Mahone's instructions in re-
spect to the personnel of the nominate ons for
the Legislature in Republican districts and
counties. That General Malone is using the
position he occupies, that of Chairman Of the
State Committee. to advance his personal
ends goes without saying. The Republicans of
never contemplated this wicked use Of the
power conferred upon him, and faithful dis
charge of the high trust you'd have prompted
called the State Committee to meet at some
other more proper place than his private resi-
dence, sent in his resignation as chairman, let
the State Committee of its own free will and
accord, select a competent Republican as chair
man, who would manage the campaign not in
the interest of any man but for the party's sue
cess; thus. we would have gone into the fight
with united aud harmonious party and every
Republican aspirant fer the senatorship would
not be debarred as they now are, by the base
uses the party machinery is put to. But as
m mat staEatRe5 casaP haye been packed
ha ap sesaved Is nt as TO me
the Malone party" against Republicans and
the Republican party, made so by the General
myself. keeping company with thousands of
faithful and loyal Republicans, l am against
Malone.
Really we have no properly organized Re-
the author of the existing plan OF organization,
which conferred upon himself absolute and
complete control of the party. It was rushed
through the State convention of 1881 without
one delegate in fifty knowing anything about
it. Hs appoints his own special favorites
chairmaen Of every city and county committee,
and if they do not run things to his advantage
be can remove them at his own sweet pleasure
By this us urpation of power he is enabled to
dictate every nomination for the Legislature
In Republican localities. and through his own
personal agents ne directs s the party manage
the people. going SO far as to seek written
pledges from Republican nominees for the
Legislature to support and vote for him for SEN
ltOr.
BY such methods, q dictatorial tyranical
leadership forces itself upon the party In viola
ion of every principle OF repubiicanism, and
We are expected to quietly submit aud support
! selfish management which is contrary to
light and justice, and is daily destroying our
'arty and renders it ineffective in the struggle
or supremacy. The remedy for this deplorable
md unrepublican condition of affairs Is in the |
lands OF the people. viii they apply it?
trust that your suggestions may find willing |
carts to give their effect to the end that the |
arty may be rescued from Its present absolute |
erytude and placed once more upon the high |
round it should occupy.